Now without the sarcasm - The monitor is fantastic. It's been fantastic for over a year. I really couldn't care less how the non-glowing part of the display looks.
Snarkiness aside, I do care about what the non-glowing part looks like. The aesthetics of the space I’m in materially effect my general mood and productivity level, and having control over that environment is one of the reasons I’m self-employed, because I can’t stand being surrounded by plastic, linoleum, and carpeted cubicle walls.
Objectively, it looks no different than any other piece of consumer electronics. But that’s the general problem I’m lamenting. If I’m spending $1,300, can’t they spend some money on the product design and make it look sleek, sexy, and expensive? For $1,300 I want to be proud to have it on my desk! Of course, since most people don’t care what the housing looks like, that’s exactly why they don’t, so I don’t blame them.